Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-02

Tho dispatch Of the aist, 10 witch reference Is
made. was o respODce olan inquiry requesting
10 be informed whether the commission would
be allowed 10 ascertain by examination what il
the amount OF revenue on the present basis Of
taxation remaining after the necessary ex-
penses Of the State are betrayed. responded
that an opportunity would be afforded them 10
ascertain this amount; but any conclusion
reached by the Joint commission would under
our laws be submitted 10 the Legislature for
their action.
In order that due time may be given for the
commission from the Council OF Foreign Bond
holders TO reach Richmond and 10 meet and
confer with the Joint committee 10 be appointed
from your honorable bodies, recommend that
the General Assembly take recess for thirty
days.
The period Of thirty days is named because I
am informed that the printing Of the revision Of
the Code will not be completed for that length
OF time. FT1ZHUGH LEE.
ACTION OF THE SENATE.
When the communication was read in
the Senate Mr.. Gordon moved to lay on
the table and print. He thought the
Senate could act much more intelligent
" if this was done.
Mr.. Heaton concurred in this opinion.
Mr.. Wickham said that he was one
who had never censured the bondhold-
ers for trying to get their money but
he considered this cablegram as going
one step too far, and he for one wanted
the matter acted on at once. He was
opposed TO allowing the creditors to
throw this matter into the fall cam
paign, and this he thought would cer-
tainly he the result if, as suggested in
the message, the committee now 10 be
appointed is allowed to hold over and
report at the meeting of the next Lee
gislature, which Will be elected this fall,
and which will meet in December.
Mr.. Wickham was proceeding TO con-
demn the creditors for sending this
message, when Mr.. Mccormick arose
and said that he thought Mr.. Wickham
misunderstood the reading of the COM
munication. The cablegram was again
read, and Mr. Wickham insisted that
his construction of it was correct.
Mr.. Gordon insisted on his motion to
print. No one was more averse than
he to the idea of appointing a commit
tee now to report to the next Legisla-
ture. He should certainly advocate
finishing up the matter at this session.
Mr.. Heaton thought Mr.. Wickham
had entirely misconstrued the spirit of
the message. He looked upon it as the
first appearance of the flag of truce.
Let the commission come and make
investigation of the States
finances from 1861 to the present time
and they will then see the States in
ability TO pay more thah she has agreed
to.
Mr.. Wickham said that he was in
favor of the commission coming here.
Let them come and throw open to them
the books of the State. Let them en-
ploy the best accountant, and see
or not the State cal. pay more
than she has already consented to.
What he was opposed to was allowing
this subject to be precipitated into the
fall campaign, when members OF the
General Assembly were to be elected.
Mr.. Berry thought Mr.. Wickham had
entirely mistaken the spirit of the mes
sage. 1t was but courteous cablegram
to which Governor Lee would send an
appropriate reply.
The matter was ordered to be
printed.
TO CONFER WITH THE GOVERNOR.
Subsequently Mr.. Berry offered the
following, which, under suspension OF
the rules, was adopted:
Resolred By the Senate (the House OF Delegates
That committee OF two senators
and three members OF the House OF Delegates
ne appointed 10 confer with the Governor rela-
tive 10 the inquiry 10y cable from the Council
Of Foreign BoDdholders.
The adoption Of the resolution was
communicated to the House by Mr..
Gordon.
As soon as the Senate was informed
bv Mr.. Munford Of the adoption OF
the resolutions in the House the Chair
appointed as members of the commit
tee from the Senate Messrs. McCor-
mick and Wickham. Mr.. Berry, the
author of the resolution, and Mr.
Heaton were suggested as members OF
the committee, but both of them asked
TO be relieved from service.
The Coupon Crusher In the House.
This bill came up in the House as the
speciaforder yesterday.
Mr.. Stuart (Mr. Cardwell in the chair
moved that the consideration OF the
be postponed until Wednesday
next. In view of the fact that we are
now in correspondence with the foreign
bondholders he thought that it would
be exceedingly unfortunate il this bili
should now be pressed. He felt sure
that a little delay could do no harm.
The two houses could pass resolution
that the licenses should be issued only
for one month, and before the expira-
ton of that time the General Assembly
would probably have fuller information
upon which to act.
Mr.. Pollard said the State should not
baul down her flag before the bond
holders lower theirs. This bill is ne
cessary to protect the Treasury against
the coupons. Unless the people are
going to stop using coupons it is indls-
pensable. 1t is the only thing to
Guarantee to the State that the license
taxes. now nearly due, shall be paid IN
money or in verified coupons. All
barriers are swept away, and If we ne
elect TO act we viii incur a great re-
snonsibility. Mr.. Pollard would be
willing for the State TO hold of 1t she
had assurance that the coupon-tenderers
would hold off ; but on that point he
had heard of no promise. Therefore
We must prepare to meet the coupons.
Mr.. Stuart said that the simple rem
edv would be to order that the Licenses
sbsll be issued only for thirty days.
This bin was, he said, the most CO.
erc;ye he had ever known. and 1t might
nossibly disturb the steps now being
taken 10 bring about q settlement with
the bondholders. We want to meet
their representatives in spirit OF COM
not with threat. :
Mr.. Pollard replied that the state IS
in the courts her grand jurors
Are intimidated I; offenders that she en-,
deayors 10 punish arc set at liberty, ana
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